Ian Atkinson

SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 rocket conducted its Static Fire test on Tuesday, ahead of is its next launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base – set for the weekend. This launch will be the second reflight of a Block 5 Falcon 9 first stage, core B1048. The flight will also include the first west coast Return To Launch Site (RTLS) landing, which – so far – have only been performed at Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.